The Shard, London, England

London's skyline has had its fair share of famous landmarks, but none quite like The Shard.

Rising 310 metres above England's capital, this glass-clad giant is not just the tallest building in the United Kingdom but also a symbol of modern London.

It was designed by Renzo Piano, an Italian architect known for making a statement with high-tech, lightweight and functional designs.

Inspired by church spires and ship masts, he envisioned a sleek, tapering structure that would reflect the changing sky.

Construction began in 2009 and by 2012, it had officially claimed its title as Western Europe's tallest skyscraper.